Dating for 50 plus

A British psychological study published in Evolution and Human Behavior in 2010 concluded that men and women, in general, continued to follow traditional gender roles when searching for mates.

The study found that, as supported by other academic studies, most men preferred younger, physically attractive women, while most women, of any age, preferred successful, established men their age or older.

However, human males tend to have more parental investment compared to mammal males (although females still tend to have more parental investment).

Thus, both sexes will have to compete and be selective in mate choices.

did females show a preference for males significantly younger than male preferences for females" and that there was a "consistent cross-cultural preference by women for at least same-age or significantly older men".

A 2003 AARP study reported that 34% of women over 39 years old were dating younger men.

As well as asking participants a number of questions on mate selection criteria, they also had to provide the oldest and youngest partner they would accept.

In all 37 cultures it was found that males preferred females younger than themselves and females preferred males older than themselves.In females, relative youth and physical attractiveness (which males valued more compared to females) demonstrated cues for fertility and high reproductive capacity.Buss stated the specific age preference of around 25 years implied that fertility was a stronger ultimate cause of mate preference than reproductive value as data suggested that fertility peaks in females around mid-twenties.These age preferences were confirmed in marriage records with males marrying females younger than them and vice versa.